"Hey, man," Collins greeted Seal, his partner, as they approached each other in the hall of the wing of the main house. "Ken sent me to fetch you. Your Dad just arrived with your brother."

"Already was on my way," Seal stated. "Miranda already playing hostess?"

"As always. They were headed for the back lawn."

"Alright. Make sure my dad is well and truly gone before you and the guys make a move. I don't know how long he's planning on staying."

"Got it. We'll be careful."

"I have no idea how much he knows about Ken and Miranda's extra-curricular activities. But I really don't want to be the reason he finds out," Seal called out over his shoulder as he pushed open one of the side doors of the hall. It was a gorgeous day. The sun shone and a gentle breeze blew through the trees of the grounds as he strode across the lawn. His relationship with his dad could be strained at times, but he was still looking forward to seeing his old man. He and his brother had always gotten along, minus of course what was considered to be just good-natured brother teasing. He hadn't seen either one of them in at least a year.

Colonel O'Neill's usual presence was apparent as always as he sat at the long outdoor dining table. At six four, Seal had a good inch on his dad, and probably thirty pounds more muscle, but in his eyes his dad always looked larger than like. If he didn't know better, he'd be jealous of how his wife was scooted so close to his dad's side, her hand on his arm, hanging on his every word. Shelly and O'Neill Senior had a special bond from nearly day one, and she could do absolutely no wrong in his eyes. His dad, he was sure, would remind him more than once that he didn't deserve her. He couldn't even be mad about it because he knew his old man was right. Shelly's long blond hair fell over her shoulders as she laughed lightly at something his dad said. She looked even more petite than usual sitting next to the Colonel.

At his approach, his dad lifted his eyes to him in warm greeting. His brother, whose back had been to him, stood and turned, pulling him into a warm bear hug. "Phil," he stated simply, holding his brother firmly for a moment. He really was glad to see him. "Good to see you," he paused, "Dad."

"Hey, soldier! Welcome! Sit! Collins find you, I assume?"

"How long you staying Colonel?" Seal asked.

"Not as long as I'd like I'm afraid."

As if on cue, a couple of Ken and Miranda's staff members appeared from the kitchens bringing coffee, gourmet teas and tiered servers loaded with finger sandwiches and mini pastries. Seal smirked inwardly as he watched both his skinny wife and one tall but svelte Miranda fill up their china desert plates. Both women were blessed with amazing metabolisms. He had often heard the other wives complain about it.

His dad continued speaking as he reached for a few items of his own. "I do have some overdue vacation time coming up, which fortuitously fits with Ken's schedule he assured me. Your mom and I are inviting you and your brother, Ken and Miranda, and of course Shelly to join us at the house in Maryland in June. Your mom wasn't happy that she wasn't able to come this weekend. She misses you both terribly."

"We're so looking forward to it," Miranda gushed, her usual gracious self. "It's been far too long since we've all been together."

"Ethan will be joining us as well," Ken added, "bringing his new fiancé. Boy finally decided to settle down. Took him long enough."

"Now, Ken," Miranda scolded, "you know how hard he's been working."

Ken went to open his mouth, but Miranda continued. "And not everyone is lucky enough to find the love of their life as early as we did. Give the boy a break."

It didn't escape Seal's notice that Miranda kept one hand nearly always in some contact with her husband as she ate, conversed, and sipped her tea. Whenever they were together, they were never far apart.

Pleasantries and small talk continued while everyone enjoyed afternoon tea in the sunshine. Finishing her last swig of tea, Miranda stood. "Shelly, dear, let's give the men a few minutes before the Colonel has to make his departure. Come take a stroll in the gardens with me. The landscaper has made some gorgeous recent additions."

The Colonel stood to embrace both women goodbye, gifting them each a sweet peck on the cheek. "Miranda lovely to see you as always. Shelly, talk some sense into him about those grandkids, you're not getting any younger."

"Now, wait a minute, Gary," Ken intervened, "I already had Grady foul up my timetable on getting Phil here. Your boy's still young, you've got time."

"Well at least Ethan's made progress," the Colonel remarked as he sat back down. "When's the last time you had a worthy girl around, Phil?"

Seal was trying his best not to groan. His dad was apparently trying to make up for the brevity of his visit by getting in all his fault finding in his closing remarks.

"And on that note, we'll take out leave," Miranda announced, gently taking Shelly's hand and saving them all.

"I'll see you in two months' time Shell-bell," the Colonel added, turning his attention back to his friend and his sons as the women left.

Seal tried to avoid shaking his head, knowing that it would only annoy his father. He cast a sideways pity glance at his brother. His dad had been thrilled when he had met Shelly. His mother's only reservation had been her petiteness, worrying that it was going to wash out the O'Neill family's 'three generations of military breeding'.

Seal couldn't care less. His wife was gorgeous, and that petite frame of hers made for a lot of fun sex. Taking her up against a wall for the first time, for example, had been a piece of cake. He snapped back from the memory, realizing that he was missing his dad finalizing things with his boss.

Both older men and his big brother had stood. At times, people sometimes thought Seal was the older brother. Phil had seven years on him and was tall in his own right, at six one; but with his height and heavier build Seal was definitely more imposing, and he knew it.

His dad had been disappointed to say the least when he had joined the Navy instead of his beloved Air Force. Seal knew that the Colonel had always been happier with Phil's choice of pararescue. Seal sometimes thought the aversion ridiculous, considering that his dad had made it perfectly clear that he didn't want his sons to follow in his footsteps of being military 'lifers'. Seal had done two tours and then had requested and been granted an honorable discharge, joining Ken's ranks as planned within a week. He knew that plans had always been for Phil to join their little band of misfits. However, when he had been granted the opportunity to become a pararescue instructor, plans had been waylaid. Owen and Claire getting pregnant so soon after their 'recruitment' had left the team a man short for the past couple of years. Everyone had been looking forward to Phil's arrival.

The four men retreated back through the house to the front drive, where the Colonel's driver had remained waiting with the black town car. O'Neill Senior shook hands with Ken warmly, "Take care of my boys."

"Always," Ken assured.

His driver opened the door for him. "Boys, make me proud and listen to Commander Wheatley," he directed with parting instructions.

The three men stood together as the car moved down the long drive.

"Alright, Daniels," Ken addressed his newest recruit as the car disappeared. "Time to get you acclimated."